Ministers in UK have unveiled a plan that will see the numbers of smokers halved over over the next decade.

The past decade has seen the number of smokers falling to 21%, with a proposed target of 10% by 2020.

To reduce the number of smokers, cigarette manufacturers have been asked to implement measures, such as, removing branding from cigarette packets, including imposing a ban of cigarette vending machines, which will also happen in Scotland next year.

Forest, a smokers’ lobby group has criticised the proposals as a way of diminishing people’s ability to make lifestyle choices.

While, Ash, a health charity supporting the plans in principle, said more detail and strongr pledges were needed.

In order to stop young people from taking up smoking, the government’s strategy also involves a crack down on the illegal import of cheap cigarettes.

Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer said the strategy will ‘discourage children from taking up smoking and prevent a great number of unnecessary and early deaths’.

As well, the NHS will render suitable help to all smokers wishing to kick the habit, including a review of the smoking legislation that may see the ban of smoking in public covering the entrances of buildings, also.

According to the government, there are 80,000 deaths due to smoking with a £2.7 billion cost to the NHS.

The smoking in enclosed public places was banned in Scotland in 2006, while the same ban was imposed in separately in 2007 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.